Ignition device.



C. F. KEITERING.

IGNITION DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I2. I9Io.

Patented June 26, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I IQ WIINESSESI C. F. KETTERING.

IGNITION DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I2. 1910.

Patented June 26, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- www. i.

C. F. KETTERING.

IGNITiON DEVICE.

APPUCATION FILED mAR.I2,1910.

1,231,264. Pateud June 26, 1917.

@D 3 SETS-SHEET 3. N Y

Y rs1) STATES PATENT orrion.

CHARLES F. KETTERING, OF IDAYTON, O`HIO, ASSIGNOR Tf) THE DAYYTON ENGINEERING LABORATORIES CO., A'COIB,IIO.`13..ATION OF OHIO.

IGNITION DEVICE.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

Patented June 26, 1917.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, CHARLES F. Kn'rrnn- ING, vresiding at Dayton, county of Montgomery, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignicomprises improvements in the elements of such a system and in their relations or manner in which they are associated or combined. The novel features consist chieiy in improvements in vthe dashboard switch or controller, the spark controlling device, a spark testing apparatus and the coil box, but as said improvements reside mainly in novel details of construction, contributing to the more eective operation of the system as` a whole and the facility of its manipulation, they will be more easily described and more readily understood by the following detailed description in which reference is made to the accompanyingdiagram.

Certain parts of the invention embodied in the present case have been also clearly shown and described and claimed in my copending application, filed Nov. 14, 1910, Serialv No. 592,290, which was filed as a division of the present case. Y

Figure 1 is a view, mainly diagrammatic, of the circuit connections and operative relations of the principal parts of the system..

Fig. 2 isa front and Fig. 3 a rear plan view ofthe dash-board switch mechanism, the outer. casing being, in each view, removed.

Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section of the switch box.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the same.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of'a detached part of the mechanism in the same.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the apparatus contained in the spark controller box.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the plate carfyi-'ng the spark testingkeys.

.10-is a longitudinal vsection of the sa e', I

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the under side of the same.

Fig. 12 is an end view of the spark controller `With the casing therefor removed.

The ignition apparatus as a whole, and as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1, comprises a galvanic battery and a magneto machine, asalternative sources of electric energy for the production of sparks. lt has also the usual timer, a spark plug for each cylinder of the engine and a spark coil for each of said plugs, with appropriate circuit connections. In order that but a smgle spark shall be produced each time that the proper circuit connections are established by the timer, a special spark controller is used which is common to all of the spark plug circuits, and in order that either the battery or magneto may be brought ence to the drawings.

The spark controlleror circuit-breaker is contained ina box or casing 3, divided into two compartments by a partition 5, to which the two inclosing cases 4, 6 are secured in any convenient manner, as by rods 7 and nuts 8. The compartment formed by the case 4, is utilized for the circuit connections intermediate of the binding posts 9, and the several operative parts of the controller. In the other compartment 6 is an electromagnet 1, secured by its core 10 to the partition or head 5, anda condenser 2 similarly supported by'a central rod 11. The magnet 1 has a double vwinding o f line and coarse wire respectively, soconnected with the circuit as to impart like poles to the core. This is shown in Fig. 1, 'where 12 represents the coarse and 13 the fine coil.

The core of the said magnet is extended parallel to the coil forming a horse-shoe orq type, one end of which is positioned in alinement with the aid' (sf/th while the other end of said armature llies l f directly djacentto'anextended portiolr of the leaffspring Contact platej20f.

The contact plate 20 coperates with the` leafspring contact 21, each of these contact springs carrying at theirfre'e ends, platilnum points 22 normally held in contact by means of a spring 23, pressing upon the contact plate 20, at a point-'substantially vover the end 19, ofthe armaturev 15.4 Therefore, any 'wear which takes place between the platinum points ofsaid contact plates, will be compensated foiby the action of vthis y'leaf spring 23. j j y Thedegree of movement-ofthe armature, Y relative tothe magnet core 1.0, may be suit- Q ablyl adjusted by means. of the threaded core insert'or pole piece; 16, carrying ia notched disk 17, which is normally held-in the desired position, by means Vofthe spring catch 18. gj 'The opposite endl9, ofthev armature is' provided' with "a button/24, ,which in its normal positionalies adjacent to, but en- .y

tirely lout of engagement with the contact \plat'e 20, so thatgafcerta'in limited player lost motion is permitted -th'e armature,#pre` vious-to lits engagement with `the 'contact'f 3o plate 20, during its operation. "llhust the bythe residual magnetism thereof, l*no ap-' 'preciable lifting pressure will be exerted lupon the said contact by the armaturelf; v 35 g Again, ,by arranging the armature',l 15,` normally out of engagement with'the` .con-a. tact plate 2Q, any wear of thecontact'pointsf I 22, will not affectv the rate'` of .vibration of the armature, inasmuch as the armature 15g willnot be affected in any-way by'said-wear.. f

15 and the pole-piece would be. dulyrv in-'.

creased in accordance 'with the amount of Wear-which had taken place'between the Contact points 22. -I

In order that a certain deinite resi-stance may be offered to thef movement of. the l armature 15, when brought incontact with the under face of the plate 20,;thejspring,

23fis arranged to impmge' the upper face' of `the. plate 20, atl a point substantiallyv in alinement withthe point at which'A the arma'- tureengages .the underA facefof, said plate.

9^ same and the plate37.

armature should be drawn' towardthe core,

f tire "magneto, and ina' third stationary part" of the circuit-breaker, for

N-The effect of this is toprevent the armature fromhaving a vibration period of its own,"

example the core `extension 14 adjacent vto the point ofimpingementof the contacts 20,

21;.to aiiord protection to such.- parts' during' lremoval `and replacement'of the casing.

,s The spark testing` device 'towhich referi tence, has been.1nade,comprisesa seriesof push' buttons- Vor .testing-keys 31 set n a plate 32that may be mounted on the dashboard' at a convenientpoint. The stems 34 ofthe said buttons extend through. openings .1n an insulating plate orv'block" andl'through holes lof less diameter in a metal' plate 37, and a second' insulating plate v38 beneath-it..- Contact terminal, plates 35 are 'secured to the derfside of the plate 33 ove` the holes throughwhich the saidstems work, 'Y I land spiral springs 36- contained in the' o'pen` ing [in `-pla-te 33, andfbearjng separatelyagainstthe plate 37, and collars `on the stemsI 34, ,provide springseats for the push buttons I v'Plate 37' is connected tothewirie` common to ,all the primaries, and plates35, respecplater 3 5 under --it one of -theprimaries is short circuite'dand. no spark produced in the fs'ivel'y depressing' 'the ginel is running the operationof the several sparlfplug's and cylinders may be observed.`

f The dash-board or controller switch shown in Figs., 2Vj and 6 is operated to ect several 'peraA ions desirable for ofV 'an' automobile' the/ 'which a projectingswitcharm 40 is pivoted it v brings vinto sourcefof energy forthe sparks tion'ic'uts-both out of operation.

y43, andthere is also ,connected tothebase 42 46 located above itspivotal point 44.

and complete thec'ircuit between each ofthe v 'tively to the outer terminals, so that by dei pressing a push button into contact with the `cylinder corresponding thereto.' By'fsucces# buttons while the en--f theproperrunning y Mechanically/ considered j-,devicev lconsists of a v casing ,39 within '116.

The base 42 is removable from the casing 39, `but normally'securedthereon by screws pivoted at `44 a-plate 45,

by. a( spiral spring 29.

,The upper end of the switch arm or4 lever Y' the lower .e'ndl of plate l45 47 and 48 at its corners, the former rounded, 'thelatter squared, to t into corresponding notches in the ed sionl lof lever 40.

40 is widened into arsegrnental pla-te,- and',` '3

has two projections Whe'n lever 40 is in its middle position, the projection 47 engages with its notchl and rement, and at such time a projection 49 on the plate 45 rests against a limiting stop 50 on VAthe base 42.

If the lever 40 be turned from such position in either direction the projectionl 47 riding over the rounded edges of the coperating notch forces the upper end of plate 45 away from its stop 50 against the tension of the spring 46, tending to throw the switch andaiding to retain it in either of its eX- treme positions.

Onone side of the base 42 is secured a pair of contact spring blades 51, 52, insulated from'e'ach other except at their ends which are normally in Contact. On'the opposite side of the base is a similar pair of contacts 53, 54, which are normally out of contact. The segmental extension of the lever 40 carries pins 55, 56a, on its rear Jface, which engage with the pairs of contacts respectively, when the switch' is thrown to its extreme positions. By reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen that throwing the lever 40 to one side separates contacts 51 and 52, while throwing it to its opposite position brings together contacts 53 and 54.

On the side of the base 42 opposite to that carrying the plate 45, is mounted a pair vof blade contact springs 55, 56, insulated from each other except at the ends which are normally in contact. A spring-seated push button 57 set in a socket in the casing- 39 has a stem that projects through an opening 58 in the plate 45, and when depressed engages the end of spring blade '55, separating it from contact with blade 56.

The stem of the push button 57 carries a collar 59 beveled around its under edge. and when the switch lever 40 is in its middle or neutral position and plate 45 in -its corresponding position, depressing the push button brings the beveled edge of the collar into engagement with a correspondingly beveled edge of the opening 58 in plate 45, and forces the latter suliiciently to one side to permit the collar to pass beneath the plate and be engaged thereby. Fig. 5 shows the push button latched by position.

1n the plate 45 there is also an opening 60 exposing a disk 61 eccentrically pivoted to the base 42. The disk carries a stem which serves as a guide for a key that may be inserted through a hole in the casing 39, for the purpose of turning the disk 61. When the switch 40 is in .either of its extreme positions and the plate 45 in its position corresponding thereto, a movement by the disk 61 will have no eiect as the plate 45 is latched against movement in either direction by reathe plate 45 in its depressed son of its engagement with the leverA 40.

`*When the lever 40 is in its middle position, tains the switch in such position with suii-V cient force to prevent accidental displace however, the projection 48 lies immediately over its notch and by turning the key the plate 45 will be shifted to the position shown in Fig. 6, thereby locking the lever 40 against movement in either direction.

It will be observed that such a movement by plate 45, whether effected Aby the lever 40 or by a key (disengages the push button 57, should the latter be latched in depressed position.

The purpose and functioniof thevarious elements described above, as included in or associated with the controlling switch mechanism will be more clearly understood, in view of the-following: l

When it is desired to usethe magneto as a source of current, the switchlever 40 lis thrown into the" extreme right hand position shown in Fig. 1. This operation of the switch handle tends to separate the contact points 51 and 52, and thus permits the curing the single primary 69, is clearly shown in Fig. l, merelyto illustrate the manner in which the magneto may be thrown into or out of operation.

What may be termed the main switch, that is, the switch which is controlled by the handle 40, is adapted to coperate in certain' respects with the push button or supplemental switch actuated by the button 57.

The switch which is controlled by the handle 40, is designed to be so shifted as to throw the system into what may be termed, a single spark circuit. The other switch which is controlled by the push button 57, is adapted to so effect the system upon operation, that the battery circuit will act as a buzzer or vibrating coil system, and will permit th'e generation of a continuous succession of sparks throughout the interval that the engine timer is in position to complete the primary circuit.

The push button57 and its coperating parts are'so arranged that the buzzer device or vibrating coil system may be brought into use either temporarily or continuously. That is, when the lever 40 is in middle position, the pressing in ofthe push button 57 latches the same in depressed position, thus permanently cutting out the locking coil of ne wire 13, so that the system will act as a simple vibrating coil system, throughout the time that the button 57 is maintained in de-l pressed or`latched position. y Q

If, however, the lever 40' is sliifted'to the left or'shifted 'into the vosition shown in Fig.` 1, and designated attery,whereby the systemwill normally produce a 'single spark for each time that the primary circuit some times diliicult to effect the'starting of `the enginewith simply a single spark sysi tem, 7and it is a Iwell known factl that `it is equally diHcultto effect thestarting of aV combustion'or explosion engine, by means of ma neto ignition.v In view fof this, the present vention may be used to especial-advantage with 'motor vehicles, 'and when so l used, will provide afsourceof ignition which will provide means whereby a series of hot,` sparks may be generated or produced in the -proper cylinder of :the engine, by means ofv a vibrating coil system.. .Thistype of ignii tion (vibrating eoii) may be most advantage,

ously used whenA starting, and when rence started, the typeof ignition maybe instantly changed to eltlera single spark type of bat- W tery ignition or,` to magneto ignition,

` From the above, it. will'be seen thatthe initiall operation f the system, providingan engine to v which the system is applied, -is

about to be started; is to throw the switch handle 40 into its neutral or olif position Y and to then ldepress the push.. button 57.l AThe 'depressing of the button 57 will, as has lheretofore been stated, cause the beveled collar 59, carried by the-shank of said button, to pass through the openingA 58, formed in the plate 45. This plateG 451s resiliently Lm'ounted, and capable of limited lateral 'movemenu and will be forcedtoone side, on

the downward movement" of the b utton 57,

as vhas heretoforebeen described. As soonasythe collar l5? has` passed through the vopening 58,. the plate 45 is "upper ac e'o the eollar,5 9, thus retaining the push'fbutton 57 \in 'depressed position, andcosequently forcing"the Contact; late 'thenor'mal contact therebetween, (see Figs.

land i l has heretofore been stated,` it may be" desirable, view'io providing a safety dedrawn- 'backfinto its normal position by means of the Spal'ngvl, and the beveled e,dge' y A l:.ture 15, and consequently break-the contact 120 voffxvthe o enin 58will eiiectuallyengage the 55 awayromplater, and thus brea fg lice for Prete-Dngtheuse oir-fthe car by other than" the rightfulusr, vto positively lock the switch in inoperative position, and thus effectively cut off the source v of ignition. In the present instance, this lis Aacfl complished by means of the eccentric'disk 70 61, operating upon the p1ate45, to shiftl an maintain the same in locked position, relative to the switch handle 40. A AHowever,.it will` be obvious that the lever "40 might be in its neutral or oil' position 75 -and the push button57 in depressed 'posi- 'to defeat the object sought.

It haslbeenarranged, therefore, to automatically release thexpushbutton 57 from engagement with the ,plate 45, by 'theturni ing ofthe disk 61, and the consequent locking-,of the lever 40, in off position. This.

is clearly shown in Figsr 2 and -6, wherein it will be seen that if the disk 61 Vis moved into the position shown in Fig. 6', the plate- 45 will be s o actuated that .the engagement90 ,between the edge of thev opening 58, in the plate 45, and 'the collar 59, carried by the push button 57, will bebroken and the pres- 'sure of .the spring which normally maintainsthe push button 57 in-outward posi- 95 tion, will edectually return the push buttonv yto its normal position. 'f

When the plate 45 is Vmoved `into position tolock the lever 40, it. will also be in such position that the portion 58a of theplate 45, 100 willprevent the push button 57 from again being depressed until at such time as the switchmay be unlocked.-

A short description of the circuits and electrical, connections willnow be given.

`Supposing that the switch is thrown into battery position, (see Fig. 1)' and that the push button 57 and the timer 65 are also in the position shown in Fig. l, the' current will"'p'ass fromi the `batter 25, through the 110 coarse wire winding 12, t ence through the .branch wire 110,y contact plates 2O and 21, wire'J 102, wire 63, switch contact plates 53 and 54, wire 64,- into the timer and thence through the primary winding 27, -to the betwe'en the plates 2O and 21,':tl'1us eiiecting va break iny the main circuit,

tracted pcsition'nuiitil 'such time @IS-fthe pri1`4 l' maryj circuit is broken by the-normal 4rota- 125 tion-of the timer 65,-the current upon going .f i

fromuthe battery, will ,How "through -jthe f y heavy winding 12, and a sm all g portion of orderV to. maintain;` the jarinatureiniatyaaa' the current only, will also iiow back through the ine wire winding or high resistance locking coil 13. From this coil, the current ows through the wire 66, through supplemental switch plates 56 and 55, main switch plates 53 and '54, wire 64, to the timer,

thence back to the battery.

It should be understood that only suiiicient current. passes through the fine wirel Supposing the switch is in neutral position and it is desired to employ the system as a vibrating coil system. It will be seen that the contact plates 53 and 521iL will be out of contactjand thus prevent the iiow of current through .the main circuit. However, if the push button 57 (see Fig. 1) is held depressed so as toengage with the plate 55, a shunt circuit about the switch plates 53 and 54: will be formed through the wire 67, plate '5.5, button 57 and branch wire 70. Y

It will, of course, be understood that the ne wire winding under these conditions, will be cut out and that the system, through the operation ofthe armature 15, will be converted into a vibrating coil system.

It is to be understood that the construction herein speciiicallyillustrated and' described isl merely the preferred embodiment of the invention, which may be embodied in other forms without departure from its proper spirit and scope.

I claim:

1. In an electric ignitio 'system for inter.'- nal' combustion engines,f the combination with a sparkin circuit a source of current therein, a spar timer, and an electromagnetic circuit-breaker capable of operation either to make single breaks in the circuit under the control of thetimer or to make successive breaks independently of the breaks in the timer, of acontrolling switch to-open and close the circuit at the will of the operator, manually'actuated means for determinin the character of operation of the circuitreaker, and means under the control of said switch for latching said manually actuated means in operative position. 2. In an electric ignition system :for internal combustion engines, the combination with a sparking circuit including a spark timer, of an electromagnetic circuit-breaker capable of operation either to make single breaks in the circuit under the control of the timer or to make successive breaks independently of the breaks in the timer, a manual controllin switch inthe circuit,

having open and c osed positions, manually actuated means for determining the character of operation of said circuit-breaker, and mechamsm operable when the said switch is in its open position for latching said manually actuated means in operative position.

3. In an electric ignition system for internal combustion engines, the combination with a circuit-breaker of the single and successive-break type, ofV a manual controlling switch in circuit with the circuit-breaker, manually actuated means for determining the character of operation of the circuitbreaker, .and latching mechanism for said means, releasable by the said `controlling .4. In an electric ignition system orinternal combustion engines, in combination, a circuit-controlling switch having open and closed ositions, a manualcircuit-controller operabl in 'anvposition of the switch, and automatic mechanism operable in the open position of the switch to latch the said circuit-controller, and means for releasing said circuit-controller at will.

5. In an'electric ignition system for internal combustion engines, in combination, a circuit-controlling switch having open and closed position, separable normally closed contacts in circuit with the switch, a pushbutton adapted to separate said contacts, automatic latching mechanism for the pushbutton operable when the saidl switch is in its open position, and means actuated by the switch-to release the pushbutton from said latching mechanism when the switch is vthrown to a closed position.

ush-button, circuit contacts actuated there- "105 y, automatic latching mechanism for the push-button, and means actuated by the switch lever for disengaging the latching mechanism and the push-button.

7 In an electric ignition system for internal combustion engines, vin combination, a sparking clrcuit, a. magneto and a battery parallel insaid circuit, an electromagnetlc lcircuit-breaker in circuit with the battery and capable of operation either to make single breaks in .thebattery circuit or to make successive breaks therein, a controlling switch having a neutral position, a position in Vwhich the sparking circuit is closed through the magneto, and a position vin which the sparking circuit is closed through the battery, manually. actuated means to determine the character of operation of the electromagnetic circuit breaker, and automatic latchingmechanism for said means operable when the controlling switch is in its neutral position.

8. In an vignition system for combustion' engines, in combination, a plurality of pri- '25' mechanism forsaid manual means,v and a j lockingdevice operable to lock the switchinA mary-circuits; a plunality of 'secondary circuits, inductively related to the respectiveprimary circuits, and eachprovided with a spark gap; a source of current connected to the primary circuits; and a plurality of testing keys, normally independent of the primary circuits, but/ operable to short-circuit any Aofsaid primary circuits at will.

an electric ignition system for in-v ternal combustion engines, -in combination, la plurality ofinduction coils having pri- -mary and secondary circuits2 said secondary circuitsbeing provided with spark-gaps,` and means, including a series of testingkeysf, for short-circuiting any primary winding at will, said. means normally' being independ vent ot the said circuits. Y, i Y

10. In an electric ignition system for internal combustion engines, .the combinationv with a circuit-breaker of the single and successive-break type, of a vcontrolling switch in .circuit with the circuit breaker andhaving open and closed positions, manually actuated means fordetermining the character of. operation of Ithefcircuit breaker, latching openpositon and concurrently operate said `latcl1ing -mans to release said manual 3o i '11. In an' electricignition system vfor in;

l'ternal'combustion engines, the combination with a sparking means, comprising a battery Aspar ingcircuit` and a magnetosparking circuit; ofv a circuit controlling switch having three positions, viz., a battery posi- '.tion, 'amagneto and an intermediate 0E pon sition; and a supplemental-switch operable v in anyone of the three positions of'said controlling 'switch to coperate with said' sparking circuits to cause a successiony of sparks therein. 1- e..

" v 12.1 In an electric ignition system for ternal combustion engines, the combination with a sparking means, comprising a battery y sparking circuit anda magneto sparking, circuit; of av circuit controlling switch having three positions, viz. a v"battery position, a'l

magneto andan intermediate oli position;

and a supplemental switch opera'ble in' any v'one of thethree positions of'said controlling switch to vvcoperate with said sparking cirf cuitsto cause .a succession of sparks therei J in; withy meansfor latching said? supple.- f

mental switch'in operative position upon its operation, when the controllingv switch 1s i lits ofi'l position. l f. :13. In anl electric ignltion system for internal combustion engines, thev combination so.

th-.av sparking means, comprising a batircu' ;.of-a circuit` controlling switch circuit and a magneto spark` eepos'itions',.yi z., abattery osi-v a agneto-andanmtermediate o position'; and a s,upplfunnenftal` operable in any one of 'the three'- positions of said tion upon its operatiomwhen the controlling switch '1s 1n lts oif position; and means con'` ,nected withgsaid controlling switch. for vautomatically releasing said latchingn lejan'sinV the supplemental switch when .the control?. ling. switch is -.moved, either ,positionor its battery position.

14.' In .anv ignition system" forfinternal. Combustion and explosion engines, the vc'on`f1-..".

bination with a v:magneto system, and a bat# tery system of i the single and successive spark type of ignition; of a switchior se? lecting either the single spark'or the mag#l neto system of ignition; anda supplemental switch operable `'5to' place the successive Ato its magneto- Epark type of battery ignitionin operation;

15. In an electric ignition lfor in'.

4'ternal combgistion' engines,v the'eombination with a circuitfbreaker'of the single and sucindependent of the position -of the first {named-Switch. v v w cessive-break type, of a controlling switch in circuit with the -.circuit breaker and'having open and closed positions, manually aci tuated means for-determining the character L of .operation ofthe circuit breaker, latching mechanismfor said manual mean's`, f andv a i kicking vdevice 'operable to lock lthe .switch .in .open position and concurrently operate said latchin'g meanstojrelease said manual means', with provisions connected with said vmanuallyr actuated means for automatically aine afterit has. been unlatched Aand rele'asfV d'by.. a

the operation of said locking device tolock preventing 'the re-.operation of' vthe the switch'in open position.

16.'.I'n an electric ignition system for in#- .ternal combustion enginS, the combination@ with a circuit breakeripf-the single or suc-J cessivesp'ark-type; roffa controlling switch.

in circuit with the circuitbreaker and havlng open and closedposition's; manually-ac?. I

. tuatedmeans'for determining the character' L offoperation of the circuit breakeryand a locking device. operable to lock said'switch 1,15

vin open position and also lock said manually operated means in its inoperative-position.

17.:In an electric ignition system for in- .ternal combustion engines, the combination with a circuit-breaker of'thesingle and sucl ces'sivebreak type, ofa controlling switch in circuit with thecircuit breaker and having open` and closed positions, manually actuated mans for determiningrthe characterof op eration of the circuit breaker, latching mech-y anism for' said manualimean's., and a. locking device operableto lock the .switch in openv position and concurrently. operate Said' latching means to release said manual means; with provisions coperating with said locking device to prevent its operation to lock said switch when latter' is in its closed position.

1S. In a system for supplying combustion and explosion engines with ignition, the combination with a plurality of ignition systems; of a switch element for selecting certain of said ignition systems; and means independent of said switch element capable of operation to select a diiferent type of ignition from the type of ignition selected by said switch element, independently of the position of said switch element.

19. In a system for supplying combustion and explosion engines with ignition, the combination with a battery system of the single and successive spark type of ignition; of a controlling element for the successive spark type of ignition; and a switch element movable to a position to select the single spark type of ignition and to an inoperative position, independent of the position of the controlling element.

20. In an ignition system for combustion and explosion engines, the combination with a battery system of the single and successive spark type of ignition; of a controlling element for the successive spark type of ignition; a switch element having a position to select the single spark type of ignition and an inoperative position in which thesaid controlling element for the successive spark system is operable; means adapted to latch said controlling element in operable position, when it is actuated at the time the switch element is in its inoperative position; and means actuated by said switch element when it is moved into positionto select the single spark system, to release said controlling element.

21. In a system Jfor supplying combustion and explosion engines with ignition, the combination with a plurality of ignition systems; a switch element having operative and inoperative positions; a manually actuated element operable independently of said switch element, for selecting one of the ignition systems; means for latching said manually actuated element when operated while said switch element is in its inoperative position; and means operable by said switch element torelease said manually actuated element when the switch element is lmoved to its operative position; and locking and explosion engines, the combination with a sparking circuit; of a controlling switch having operative and inoperative positions;

a manually actuated element for selecting one'type of ignition; latching means operable to maintain said manually actuated element in operative position, when the same is operated while the switch element is in one of its inoperative positions, said latching means having provisions whereby no engagement with said manually actuated element will be effected when the same is operated while the switch element is in operative position.

24. In an ignition system for combustion and explosion engines, the combination'wlth a magneto and a battery system; a switch element for bringing said magneto .System into operation; and a supplemental switch operable to place said battery system 1n operation concurrently with or independently of said magneto system.

In testimony whereof he aliixes his signature in the presence of two subscribing wit-v nesses.

CHARLES F. KETTERING.

Witnesses:

J. B. HAYWARD, CHAs. D. BRoNsoN. 

